Process and machine for manufacturing oscillating joints



June 13, 1933. F. J. LAMBOVIVQN ET AL 1,913,933

PROCESS AND MACHINE FOR MANUFACTURING OSCILLATING JOINTS a sheets-sheet 1 Filed Dec. 27, 1929 INVENTOR FEEDER/Off =1. LAMB' ORN AND RUPPEL.

AT ORNEY BY mA/wr ,1.

Patented June 13, 1933 UNITED STATES-(PATIENT OFFICE FREDERICK J'. LAMBORN AND FRANK J. RUPIEL, F DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOBS TO CHRYSLER CORPORATION, OF 'DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF DELA- WARE n IROCESS AND MACHINE FOR MANUFACTURING OSCILLATING JOINTS H Application-filed December 27, 1929. Serial No. 416,982.

This invention relates to the manufacture of flexible joints or supports for oscillating parts which comprise two concentric metallic sleeves and an intermediate elastic memher.

Prior to the insertion of an elastic ring into the annular space between the two concentric sleeves, the external diameter ofithe elastic ring is much larger than the mternal diameter of the external sleeve and the internal diameter of the ring is much smaller than the outer diameter of the inner sleeve. When the elastic ring is inserted in the annular space between the sleeves, it Is 1mportant that the parts be assembled, one into the other, at a high rate of'speed eiii'ect elongation of the ring in an axial directlon. Preferably the elastic ring, which may be of India rubber, is forced into the outer sleeve by a suitable press and the inner sleeve I is forced into the elastic ring. The coax al relation between the outer and inner sleeve should be maintained during the assembling N of the inner sleeve so that the elastic ma- M terial will be uniformly elongated 1n the annular space between the sleeves and the wall thickness ofthe elastic ring, in its elongated position, maintained equal at all points.

It is therefore an important obJect of our invention to guide the inner sleeve on the I axial line of the outer sleeve by provlding a 7 guide for the inner sleeve at the opposlte ends of the outer sleeve.

Another object of the invention is to provide a reciprocating guide in advance of the inner sleeve, which builds up a pressure to be used in removing the assembled joint from the machine.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will more fully appear from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a side elevation of a machine for assembling the elastic member into an outer sleeve member, parts .being broken away and in section.-

Fig. 2 is a plan view of Fig. 1. I

Fig. 3 is a side view. of a machine for assembling the inner sleevein the outer sleeveunderstood that when these parts are assemhaving a reciprocating plun er which forces ence numeral 16 designates a suitable base and elastic ring, parts being broken away and in section. I Fig. 4 is a plan view of Fig. 3. v Fig. 5 is an enlarged view, partly in section and partly in elevation showing the parts in assembled relation.

Fig. 6 is a view illustrating the three parts in their relative positions before they are assembled.

Fi 7 is a sectional view of the assembled mem ers which constitute the flexible joint. Fig. 8 is a sectional view showing a modified form of the lower portion of the machine for assembling the inner sleeve in the oute sleeve and elastic ring.

Fig. 9 is a plan view of Fig. 8 as viewed in a direction indicated by the arrows 9-9 of V Fig. 8. A Fig. 10 is a fragmentary view, partly in section, taken on line 10 -1O of Fig. 9.

Referring to the drawings wherein we have illustrated a preferred embodiment of our invention, we have shown a machine for assembling flexible joint members such as are used for a connection between the. springs an frame of a motor vehicle. A jointcomprises an outer sleeve member 10, an inner sleeve member 12 and an intermediate elastic member 14. The elastic member 14 is preferably made of India rubber and is in the shape of a ring having an outer diameter larger than V the inner diameter of the sleeve 10. The inner diameter of the ring 14is smaller than the outer diameter of the sleeve 12. It will be bled as a unit the elastic ring 14 is elongated,

the wall thickness of the ring decreasing and the opposite ends of the ring moving axially aoward the opposite ends of the sleeve memers. r

The outer sleeve 10 is first rigidly held in a suitable machine and the elastic ring 14 is pressed into the sleeve. The sleeve and elastic ring are then'placed'in another machine the inner sleeve into the elastlc ring and outer sleeve.

- Referring particularly to Fig. 1 the referhaving a block 18 adapted to receive the outer sleeve 10. The block 18 is provided with an Suitable vertical supports, such as rods 32,.

have been provided on the base 16 to support the operating mechanism of the press. At the upper ends of the rods 32 we have provided a cross-head 34 which receives a cylinder 36 detachably secured thereto by a lower cap portion .38, into which the cylinder 36 is screw-threaded. A locking member 40 is screw-threaded on the cylinder 36 above the cross-head 34. The cylinder 36 is provided with a piston 42 carrymg a plunger 44 which projects through the lower end of the cap 38. The lower end of the plunger 44 is provided with a socket member 46 which detachably receives a tool 48 having an annular groove 50 which receives a lock pin 52.

Between the lower side of the piston 42 and the upper surface of the cap 38 we have pro.- vided a coil spring 54 which urges the piston 42 upwardly. The piston is operated by compressed air which is admitted to the cylinder through suitable piping 56 and a valve 58 controls the flow of air therethru from a suitable source of supply, not shown. A

sleeve member 60, having an internal tapered opening, is detachably received on the lower end of the .tool 48. The tool 48 has a head portion 62 of a diameter approximately equal to thesmallest diameter of the tapered opening in the sleeve 60. The sleeve 60 is provided with an annular flange 64 at its upper end and is received between interengaging members 66 and 68, the member 68 being slidable on a rod 70 which is a part of the tool 48. The lower end of the sleeve 60 is provided with an annular recess 72 adapted to receive the sleeve 10. The diameter at the lower end of the tapered opening is equal to the inner diameter of the sleeve 10 and the diameter of the tapered opening at the upper. end of the sleeve 60 is equal to the outer diameter of the elastic ring.

In assembling the elastic ring in the sleeve 10, the operation consists in placing the sleeve 10 .on the pilot 20 and placing the elastic ring 14 in the upper end of the sleeve 60. The sleeve 60 is ositioned on the end of the tool 48 by engaging the interlocking members 66 and 68, the upper surface of the elastic ring 14 being in engagement with the head 62 of the tool 48. Compressed air or another suit able fluid is admitted to the cvlinder 36 and the piston 42 and plunger move downwardly, pressing the elastic ring 14 into the sleeve 10, reducing the outer diameter of the elastic ring. The upper surface 24 of the head 30 limits the downward movement of the elastic ring 14. a

When theinner sleeve is forced into the elastic ring the natural tendency of the downwardly moving sleeve is to draw the elastic material along with it and if the elastic ring is positioned at the center of the outer sleeve 10 the elastic ring is not centered axially in the sleeve 10 when the inner sleeve is in assembled position. It is therefore desirable to position the elastic ring in the sleeve 10 at one end thereof so that when the inner sleeve is forced into the elastic ring the elastic ring will to a certain extent follow along with the inner sleeve and hem its proper position when the parts are finally assembled. The position of the elastic ring in the sleeve 10 may be determined by the axialposition of the pilot 20.

Referring to Fig. 3 wherein We have illustrated a machine for assembling the inner sleeve in the outer sleeve and elastic ring,

which were previously assembled by the inachine shown in Fig. 1, we have shown a base -portion havinga receiving member in the form of a block 74 secured to the base 75 by bolts 76. The block 74 is open axially throughout its thickness there being three different stepped openings adapted to receive the outer sleeve 10. Aldie 77 is positioned in the smaller of the three openings and is provided with an annular flange 78 which fits the intermediate opening and rests on a shoulder 80. The inner diameter of the die 77 corresponds to the outer diameter of theinner sleeve 12. The-intermediate opening 82 receivesa die 84 having an inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the sleeve 10. The upper opening 86 receives a detachable cap 88 which is provided with a bayonet slot 90 for engagement with a pin 92. v The upper end of the cap 88 is partially closed by an annular flange 94 which extends radially over the end of the die 84 and sleeve 10, there being an annular flange 96 extending downwardly into the inner diameter of the sleeve 10. Handles 98 have been provided on the cap 88 for turning the cap 88 and bayonet slot 90 relative to the pin 92. An annular its in a recess between the inner periphery of the die 84 and the outer peripher of the flange 100. The cap is then locke on the die with the upper end of the sleeve 10 received in the annular groove between the inner periphery of thedie 84 and the outer periphery of the flange 96.

The base 75 is provided with upwardl' extending supports such as rods 102 whic receive a cross-head 104. The cross-head 104 carries a cylinder.1()6 which is provided with a piston 108 and a plunger 110. The piston is operated, preferably, by air pressure which is supplied from a convenient. source, not shown, through a conduit 112 to a valve 114. Suitable pipings 116 form a,connection between the upper end of a cylinder 106 and V the valve 114. When air is admitted through the piping 116 to the upper end of the cylinder 106 the piston moves downwardly carrying with it the plunger 110 extending through a lower head 118 in the cylinder;

The return movement of the. piston is had by a'coiled spring 120 between the upper surface-of the head 118 and the iower surface of the piston 108. n

The lower end of the plunger 110 is screwthreaded to receive a reciprocating block 122 having resilient upper and lower faces such as a rubber washer 124 secured to its opposite ends. A sleeve retaining member 126 is screw-threaded into the lower end of the plunger 110 and is provided with a down- "wardly extending portion 128 having a diameter corresponding to the diameter of "the inner periphery of the sleeve 12. The

3 sleeve 12 is slipped over the downwardly extendingportion 128 and is frictionally retained thereon by a spring-pressed ball 130 in engagement with the inner periphery of the sleeve 12. A reciprocating tapered guide 132 is frictionally held on the lower end of the sleeve 12 and the largest vdiameter of the tapered guide corresponds to the outer diameter of the sleeve 12. A projection 134 4 havinga diameter corresponding to the inner 40. diameter of thesleeve 12 is provided on the upper end of the taper 132. A springpressed ba-ll 136' is carried by the projection 134 for frictional engagement with the inner periphery of the sleeve 12,

A chamber 138 communicating with the opening through the sleeve10is connected throug suitable piping 140 to the valve 114, or to a suitable source of fluid pressure. piston 142 is mounted for reciprocation in the chamber 138 and has a spherical seat 144 adapted to receive the lower end of the taper 132 when the taper is forced through the sleevelO and elastic ring 14.

In the operation of the machine shown in p Fig. 3 the'sleeve 10, with the assembled elastic ring 14', is locked in a position shown in the drawings, The inner sleeve 12 is slid on the projection 128 and the taper 132 is placed on the lower end of the sleeve 12. The valve 114is turned so that the air pressure from the pipe 112 is conducted to the upper end of ,the cylinder 106, moving the piston -108, plunger 110,

K sleeve 12 and tapered guide 132 downwardly toward the sleeve 10. The taper 132 distorts in the block 74 and dies 84 and 77.

tending 'upwardlfy the'elastic rin 14 causing-it. to be elongated. Followed b t e taper guide 132 is the inner sleeve 12 w ich readily slides into the inner the valve 114 is turned in' a position for relieving the pressure in the cylinder 166 the spring forces the piston 108 and plunger 110 upwardly leaving the sleeve 12 and taper 132 in the position as shown in Fig. 5. The cap 88 is then removed and the pressure in the chamber 138 forces the. piston 142 up-. wardly and it in turn forces the assembled joint and taper upwardly .so that it may be removed by the operator. The taper 132 is then removed from the inner sleeve 12 by the operator. If desired the valve 114 may be turned to a position for supplying an air pressure through the piping and chamber 138 to move the piston 1'42 upwardly.

It will'be understood that a machine has been provided for accurately guiding the opposite ends of. the inner sleeve 12 while it is being assembled in the elastic ring and that by so guiding the inner sleeve, maintaining,

it at all times in coaxial relation with the outer sleeve 10, the elastic ring is elongated having an equal'wall thickness at all points.

Referring to the modified form of our invent-ion, shown in Figs-8, 9 and 10, ampport 146 is provided with an opening 148 aving a shoulder 150. A sleeve 152 is received in the opening 148 and is provided with a flange 154 which seats on the shoul-- der 150. The inner periphery of the sleeve 152 is provided with stepped openings which form shoulders 156 and 158. Asleeve 160 is received in the sleeve ,152and is provided A with an annular flange 162 for engagement with the shoulder 156. A coil spring 164,

between the shoulder 158 and the flange 162,

resiliently holds the sleeve 160 upwardly.

At the upper end of the sleeve 152 we have arranged a flanged cap 166 which fits over the upper end of the sleeve 160 and into the sleeve 152. .The lower end of the cap 166 forms a stop for the flange 162, limiting the upward movement of the sleeve 160 caused by the spring 164.

A connectlon 168 is-screw-threaded into the lower end of the sleeve 152 and isconneeted tosuitable piping 170 such as shown at 140 in Fig. 3. The connection 168 receives a -piston 17 2. The piston has a rod 174 exthrough the sleeve 160.

The upper end 0 the connection 168 is pro- 178. The member 178 serves as a resilient stop for the sleeve 160 as well as a packing around the rod 174. At the upper end of the rod 174, we have provided a piston 182 adapted for reciprocation within the sleeve 160. The lower end of the piston 182 is provided with a double. slot 184 which receives a head 186 on the rod 174. A cylindrical opening 188 is formed in the upper end of the piston 182 to receive the lower end of a taper such as shown at 132 in Fig. 3.

As a means for holding the outer sleeve 10 around the sleeve 160 which projects above th'e'upper surface of the cap 166 we have arranged clamping jaws 190. The jaws are pivoted adjacent their center by a pin 192. The forward ends of the jaws are formed semicylindrical and detachably receive dies 194 held in position by dowel pins 196 and bolts 198. The opposite ends of the jaws have plates 200. on their inner surfaces which engage opposite tapered faces on a wedge 202. A C011 spring 204 resiliently holds the ends of the jaws against the tapered ,faces of the wedge 202. A guide plate 200 has a projection 208 whichis received in a slot 210 in the back of the wedge 202. A rod 212 is adapted to reciprocate the wedge 202 between the rearends of the jaws 190.

In the operation of this form-of our de vice, the wedge 202 is raised thereby opening the clamping jaws 190. The sleeve 10 and rubber ring 14 are placed over sleeve forced through the opening in the ring and- 160 with the lower surface of the rubber resting on theupper end of the sleeve 160 and the lower end of the sleeve 10 resting on the upper surface of the cap 166. The clampingjaws are then brought together by downward movement of the wedge 202 to hold the,

sleeve 10 in stationary position. A taper similar to the taper. 132, shown in Fig. 3, is

the opening 188 in the piston 182. The piston guides the downward movement. As the rubber ring is expanded longitudinally by the taper the lower surface of the 'rubber forces the sleeve 160 downward compressing the spring 164. The downward movement of piston 182 causes thedownward move-' ment of the piston 172 and the latter builds up an air pressure in the connection 168. When the clamping jaws are released, after the inner sleeve 12 is in position as shown in'Fig. 7, the pressure below the piston 17 2 forces the taper 132 upwardly and the compressed spring 164 forces the assembled unit upwardly outpf the machine.

Various changes including the size, shape, and arrangement of parts may be niade without departing from the spirit. of our invention, and it is our intention to cover by our claims such changes as may be reasonaby made without departing from the scope of our invention.

What we claim is:

1. A machine for the manufacture of flexible joints comprising two coaxial sleeves and an intermediate elastic ring, which comprises a-guided reciprocating member having a receiving portion for the internal sleeve, an auxiliary tool for guiding the-movement of the internal sleeveinto the elastic ring, and a guiding member for receiving the tool after it has entered the elastic ring.

2. A machine for the manufacture of flexible joints comprising two coaxial sleeves and an intermediate elastic ring, which comprises an axially guided reciprocating member having a receiving portion for the internal sleeve, a tool for guiding the movement of the internal sleeve into the elastic ring, and an axially guided reciprocating member for receiving the tool after it has entered the elastic ring.

' 3. A machine for assembling one member coaxially within another member, which com prises a clamping device for the outer memher, a reciprocating member guided coaxially with the outer member, a receiving portion in said reciprocating member for the inner member, a tapered tool having a portion received by the inner member, and a reciproeating member guided coaxially with the outer member for receivin has entered the outer mem er.

4. A machine of the class described comprising a base portion, a clamping device for a part to be assembled, a fluid-pressure press comprising a cylinder, pistonand a plunger, means for moving said plunger toward said clamping device, means for moving said plunger away from said clamping device, means on said plunger for receiving a part to be assembled with the part in the clamping device, and means for removing the assembled parts from the clampin device when the plunger is moved away rom clamping device,

5. The method of assembling flexible joints comprising inner and outer rigid members and an intermediate elastic member, which consists in introducing the elastic member into the outer member, inserting the inner member through the elastic member, and

the tool after it guiding the inner memberat each ofits opposite ends independent of the rigid members and the elastic member.

The method of assembling flexible oints, comprising inner .and outer rigid sleeves and an intermediate elastic ring,

the opening in the elastic ring, introducing joints, comprlsing inner and outer sleeve 1 member by members and an intermediate elastic ring which consists in introducing the elastic ring into the .outer sleeve member, pressing a tapered tool through the elastic ring and into engagement'with a resilient stop, introducing v away from said clamping device.

the inner sleeve into'the opening f'ormedin the elastic ring by the tapered tool, and rigid- 1 1y guiding the front end of the inner sleeve the resilient stop while said inner sleeve member is moving within the outer sleeve member. I

8. A machine for assembling flexible units comprising inner and outer' coaxial sleeves and an intermediate elastic ring, comprising means rigidly holding the outer sleeve with the elastic ring therein, means for inserting the inner sleeve into the outer sleeve and the elastic ring, outer sleeve member for guiding the opposite ends of the inner sleeve during the inserting operation.

9. A machine for assembling flexible units comprising inner and outer coaxial sleeves and an intermediate elastic ring, comprlsing means rigidly holding the outer sleeve with theelastic ring therein, means for in-' serting the inner sleeve into the outer sleeve and the elastic ring, and a resilient stop forthe inner sleeve to resist excessive axial movement of the inner sleeve relative to the outer sleeve.

10. A machine units comprising inner and outer coaxia sleeves and an intermediate prising a clamping device for for. assembling flexible the outer sleeve with the elastic ring therein, a recipro- I y from the clamping device when the reciproeating member, means for moving said reciprocating member toward said clamping device, means for detachably receiving one end of the inner sleeve on sald reciprocating member, a tapered tool detachably'received in the oppositeend of said inner sleeve cushioning means for engagement with the free end of said tool to limit its movement beyond said elastic ring and said outer sleeve,

and means for movlng the assembled parts eating member is moved away from sai clamping device.

11. A machine for assembling flexible units comprising inner and outer coaxial sleeves and an intermediate elastic ring, comrising a clamping device for the outer sleeve with the elastic ring therein,a'reciprocating member, means for moving said reciprocating member toward said clamping d'evlce,

4 means fordetachably receiving one end of the inner sleeve on said reciprocating memand 7 guides at both ends of the elastic ring, com-- alignment with the axis of the outer sleeve,

said piston being adapted to move the assembled parts from the clamping device when the reciprocating member ismoved 12. A machine for assembling flexible umts comprising lnner and outer coaxial sleeves and an intermediate elastic ring,

comprising means rigidly holding the outer sleeve w1th the elastic ring therein, an axially movable ram for insertingthe inner sleeve intothe outer sleeve'and the elastic ring coaxially therewith, means for limiting the axial movement of said ram, and cushioning means for limiting the movement of said inner sleeve.

' A machine for assembling flexible umts comprising inner and router coaxial sleeves and an intermediate elastic ring, compr1s1ng means rigidly holding the outer shell with the elastic ring therein, an axially movable ram for inserting the inner sleeve into the outer sleeve and the elastic ring coaxial- 1y therewith, means for limiting the axial movementvof said ram, cushioning means for limiting the movement of said inner sleeve, and means for applying a pressure to said cushioning means to move the assembled unit from said holding means.

1 14. A machine for assembling flexible units comprising inner and outer coaxial l sleeves and an interm'ediateelastic r1ng,com-

prising means rigidly holding the outer shell with the elastic ring therein, an axially movable ram for inserting the inner sleeve into the outer sleeve and the elastic ring coaxially thereinto, means for limiting the axial movement of said ram, cushioning means for limiting the movement of said inner sleeve, said cushioning means guiding the axial movement of said sleeve, and means for applying a pressure to said cushioning means.

units comprising inner and outer coaxial sleeves and an intermediate elastlc ring,

' comprising clamping means for rigidly d holding the outer sleeve with the elastic ring therein, a movable ram disposed at one en of said outer ring in alignmenttherewith, means for detachably securing the inner sleeve to said ram, a tapered member secured to one end of the inner sleeve, and means disposed at the opposite end of said outer sleeve adapted to engage and stop the tapered member-at a point where the inner sleeve is centrally disposed within the outer sleeve.

16. A machine for assembling flexibleunits machine for assembling flexible com rising inner and outer coaxial sleeves and 11 intermediate elastic ring, comprising clamping means for rigidly holding the outer sleeve with the elastic ring therein, a movable ram disposed at one end of said outer ring in alignment therewith, means for detachably securlng the inner sleeve to said ram, a tapered member secured to one end of the inner sleeve, and means disposed at the opposite end of said outer sleeve adapted to receive the leadingend of the tapered member and guide it during the insertion of the inner sleeve into the outer sleeve, said last named means being also adapted to resiliently oppose further movement of the tapered member and to stop said tapered member with the inner sleeve properly-centralized within the I outer sleeve. V

17. In a machine for assembling coaxial inner and outer sleeve members, a power actuated ram, means for securing the inner sleeve member to said ram, and means for accurately positioning and holding the outer sleeve during the insertion of the inner sleeve comprising a pivot member rigidly fixed with respect .to the line of movement of said ram, two

oppositely disposed clamping members pivotally mounted intermediate their ends on said pivot member and adapted to engage said outer sleeve on opposite sides thereof, resilient means tending to hold said clamping members apart and means engaging the opposite ends of said clamping members to 1 move them toward the outer sleeve comprising a member provided with inclined surfaces and having a line of movement fixed with respect to the line of movement of the ram. I r

18. Inan apparatus for assembling universal joints comprising an outer member, an inner member and a distortable member forming the driving connections between said outer and innermernbers, a base adapted to receive and hold the outer member, and a pilot device for supporting and guiding the inner member of the joint during assembly, said pilot device and base being provided-with complemental'portions adapted to guide the pilot device during the assembly operation.

FREDERICK J. LAMBORN. FRANK J. RUPPEL 

